Data from PAGASA Virac Synoptic Station indicates that while the rains brought by tropical depression “Henry” increased the monthly precipitation for June 2026 to 187.2 millimeters, it is still one of the lowest rainfall volumes for the month in the last seven years.
The other two years with lower precipitation are June 2023 with 108.2 mm and June 2024 with 183.9 mm, both occurring during the last El Niño onset.
Last year, the June rainfall was the highest during the 2020-2025 period with 274.8 mm, thanks to a low pressure area which lingered east of Catanduanes during the first week before turning north and then east. Once it exited the country, the LPA subsequently developed into a storm named “Wutip” that impacted the Philippines, China and Vietnam.
For now, there is still water coming out of the faucets of VIWAD’s 10,000 concessionaires.
If the “train of typhoons” predicted by pseudo-meteorologists on Facebook does not materialize, GM Gabriel Tejerero is likely to appeal once more to the public to pray for rain.
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According to the VIWAD management, only two of the six provinces in the Bicol region have passed ordinances imposing a franchise tax on water districts: Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.
The water districts in CamSur mounted a legal challenge against the provincial government but the latter won the case. However, according to GM Abuab, the present Villafuerte administration has withheld implementation of the ordinance due to its impact on the people as the charge would be passed on through a water rate increase.
In the case of Catanduanes, VIWAD has not brought its opposition to the court, preferring to engage at the legislative level.
Considering that no less than the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has reportedly conceded that VIWAD needs to pay the P5-million franchise tax for the past 12 years, perhaps the board could ask the Azanza administration to remove or lower the surcharges and interest that totals P2.3 million or 46 percent of the tax due.
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The Catanduanes Tribune expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of PBM Gregorio “Oyong” Angeles and the people of Panganiban for their tremendous loss.
The late PBM and former mayor was a colleague and close friend of Tribune founder and former PBM Fred Gianan Sr. as well as his son former PBM Fred Jr. and now PBM Fred Benedict. His calm and positive demeanor will be missed.
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The Sangguniang Bayan of Virac’s Ad-Hoc Committee has released its report on the irregularities that attended the DSWD’s release of the P5,000 Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) to affected members of the transport sector in Virac in payouts held April and June 2026.
Would the concerned DSWD officials be held accountable for the loss of P1,235,000 released to 247 unqualified tricycle drivers?
DSWD’s Deborah Ester Arevalo did not tell the truth in claiming that they used the list from the central office when in fact they utilized the list submitted by Councilor Alexander Abundo during the first payout.
During the second payout, DSWD still refused to use the list provided by the LGU.
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THE PATIENT. A woman, calling Mount Sinai Hospital, says, “Hello, I want to know if a patient is getting better.”
The voice at the other end of the line says, “What is the patient’s name and room number?”
She says, “Yes, darling! She’s Sarah Finkel, in Room 302.”
The man on the phone says, “Oh, yes. Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, she’s had two full meals, her blood pressure is fine, she’s going to be taken off the heart monitor in a couple of hours and if she continues this improvement, Dr. Cohen is going to send her home by Tuesday.”
The woman says, “Thank God! That’s wonderful! Oh! That’s fantastic! That’s wonderful news!”
“From your enthusiasm, I take it you must be a close family member or a very close friend!”
She says, “I’m Sarah Finkel in 302. Cohen, my doctor, doesn’t tell me a word!”